Ditto! Thanks DC, I'm sick of some of the bitter and twisted idiots on here who are only out for themselves.

Touchy subject, not bitter and twisted - simply reflecting the feelings of the majority!

Ironic that there are some Freedom 'scabs' bitching about their 'hard deal' - they are probably one of those that failed a real ANZ interview and have resorted to the 'back door'

Yeah 'back door' about sums it up!

It is interesting to note that per pilot Freedom had a much higher number of ALPA pilots than Air NZ. Perhaps you should look at your own crowd sexy before you start passing judgement on others.

The Freedom pilots are no more 'back door' than the NAC pilots, or Air NZ pilots depending on how you see things.

You should be pleased there is an ALPA wanting to do the right thing by its members, you never know when it might be you.

Call them what you will, but I think its a bit of a far reach to call the (even some) Freedom pilots scabs...!

Whats more I havent heard any of them (so far) bitchin about a hard deal

No dought the Freedom boys got in through the "Trademans entrance" and good for them, hows that; pay for a 733 few hours there then get free A320 do some time and now 74 or 777 + keep there same $$ being a S/O approx 50k more than your ANZ buddies that do the same Job gotta love that.

Ironic thing is if ANZ did tip up these lads would most likly be in the box seat as far as getting a new job with other Airlines.

.....and for a lot of the Freedom guys, the Air NZ deal was actually a pay cut!! I doubt many of them are complaining...unless they like the feel of 4 stripes on the shoulder more than the feeling of (relative) job security.... and if that was the case there are other options.

Just heard on the news that Air NZ are chopping pilots and cabin crew from the domestic and regional operations. About 40 I believe. Since everything in the news is usually part truth topped up with a heap of BS can anyone shed some light oh this?

It did not say chopping, it said potential surplus.

Quote:

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a review of crewing requirements to meet existing customer demand has identified a potential surplus of up to 40 cabin crew and pilots in regional airline and domestic jet operations

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Well if you want to get technical heres the NZPA article.

NZPA
Air NZ to cut more jobs
Friday May 29, 03:34 PM

Air New Zealand is reducing capacity by a further 3 percent, and is signalling 80 job losses.

It is also reiterating a call for increased government funding of tourism promotion.

The Hong Kong to London service will reduce from daily to five days a week from mid-October and there will be reduced services on some domestic routes serviced by regional airlines.

The airline said it had a surplus of up to 40 cabin crew and pilots in regional airline and domestic jet operations.

There may be a further loss of around 40 airport handling roles in Auckland and Christchurch as a result of Qantas terminating its domestic services.

Air NZ is also looking for more flexibility from workers on its A320 aircraft flying the trans-Tasman route.

It has been cutting capacity to keep load factors up as the number of people travelling declines due to the global economic downturn.

"Air New Zealand will cut group wide capacity for the 2010 financial year by a further 3 percent in response to reducing demand as consumers tighten their belts in the face of the global economic recession," the airline said today.

It has entered into discussions with unions on how to minimise any potential job losses from the cut in capacity.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: NZPA

Now the blow torch is on your a$$es guys. Enjoy the heat...

hmmm, do the airforce pilots on loan get chopped first?

DT

Good call

and the contract pilots........???

A good forum to discuss this, but I reckon you should be down at your Union office asking these same questions. Your biggest problem is that you are already divided (ALPA & Dead Pilots Society). The stage was set in 1990 and with contract pilots and loaners from the airfarce, tread very carefully or you'll be needing the vaseline.

And how about Air Nelson stops hiring newbies and offers seats to potentially redundant link pilots????

It really is time for ALPA to step up and earn their money. Contractors and Airforce out first.
My two cents: Approach your local MP if you are truely worried :ok:

The problem is the Air Force are paying Air Nsn for them to fly. They cost nothing. The real question is if there is no flying for the Air Force then why not make them redundent too? Civie pilots get chopped when there is no flying for them. And before you say it I know they are waiting for the P3 and Herc upgrades but Air NZ is also waiting for the 777 and 787 and both will require more pilots in the future. Air NZ cannot afford to hold onto theirs.

In fact Air NZ cuts jobs to maximise profit. They then pay dividends to the shareholders, the government, who use the dividends to pay surplus RNZAF pilots. This is going to be a very hard pill to swallow when the axe falls.

As for the newbies I have to agree. It was becoming very apparent late last year that there was a recession on the way and jobs in all industries would be lost. Why hire new guys when a redistribution could have prevented redundancy? I am sure that any pilot facing the chop will be happy to ride around in a Dash until the dust settles. Hell some will probably already be rated.

So what are you going to do ALPA? The fight you have started for the JC pilots is great. Shows a bit of mongrel going to the PM to point out he is back tracking on the key election promise of raising salaries to those found in Australia. Good stuff.

Now lets see the same balls for the regionals.

I knew about the airforce boys (only two of them). But I didnt think there were any contract pilots in the link group???

I havent seen much of Vincent and Air Nat round the place. I guess they were the first to go.

Several contract pilots at Eagle..... None at mt. cook, not sure about Nelson except for Flying Officer's Bloggs and Jones.

I heard that Vincent laid off all their NZ based pilots, retaining a few as casuals for the odd charter etc...

REALLY???? It will be a shame not seeing the Vincent boys and girls round the place!!


I wouldn't worry about the air force holding up our jobs.....there is only two of them!! (nice guys too).

Tai hoa a bit here lads...I've been away from the coalface for a while, but has anyone actually been given the hard word yet, or are we over-reacting to yet another company statement?
I know ALPA are in discussions with the company, and the Air NZ mainline contract requires a lot of hoops to be jumped through before anyone goes down the road. I hope the Link contracts have similar clauses?

Yes D C. Many hoops to be jumped thru yet.
You also have to wonder what the long term value is of letting 20ish pilots go in a combined pilot group of 1300 plus, when there are at least 2 fleet replacement/additions coming up soon, combined with many baby boomer retirements on the horizon. Leverage for 'recession negotiations' is my bet

As much as I hold out hope for those guys and girls who may be under the cosh in the near future......
I'm not feeling confident for you lot.
Answer this question honestly....when in the history of airline management has there been a time where the individuals in their ivory towers have been anything other than short-sighted and short-term in their mentality and management style?